A Troubling Reality: Nigeria's Child Health Crisis Demands Urgent Action
In a powerful call to action, Dr. Ekanem Ekure, President of the Paediatricians Association of Nigeria (PAN), has criticized the 4.3% health allocation in the 2026 national budget. This allocation, she argues, reflects a disturbing lack of investment in the well-being and future of Nigerian children. But here's where it gets controversial: is this allocation enough to address the pressing health challenges faced by the nation's youth?
Dr. Ekure also draws attention to the Ogijo lead poisoning crisis, linked to recycled battery factories, which has primarily affected children. She demands comprehensive remediation and medical intervention for the victims, stating that stronger regulatory measures and coordinated national efforts are necessary to protect vulnerable children and secure their future. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for action.
Speaking at PAN's 57th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference in Abeokuta, Dr. Ekure highlighted the theme, "Achieving SDG-3 and Child Health Care through Innovative Funding Models and Technology-Driven Solutions." She emphasized that this theme encapsulates the dire situation of child health in Nigeria and the urgency for professionals, the government, and stakeholders to take immediate action.
Nigeria's burden of preventable childhood illnesses and mortality is disproportionately high, despite notable efforts. Dr. Ekure revealed that the country continues to grapple with high neonatal and under-five mortality rates, persistent malnutrition, suboptimal immunization coverage, and unequal access to quality child health services. These challenges are further exacerbated by poverty, conflict, climate change, and emerging health threats.
The Ogijo lead poisoning crisis in Ogun State remains a significant concern, with children bearing the brunt of the impact. While the shutdown of offending factories is appreciated, Dr. Ekure emphasizes the need for comprehensive remediation and medical intervention, along with stronger regulatory enforcement and national action to protect children.
Furthermore, children across Nigeria continue to face various forms of abuse, including abductions from schools and markets, particularly in the northern regions. These violations of fundamental human rights are a stark reminder of the urgent need for protection and intervention.
Dr. Ekure highlighted Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG-3), which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all, with a focus on ending preventable deaths of newborns and children under five. While Nigeria's national child health policies and strategies align with this goal, the country is sadly considered off-track in achieving it.
Achieving SDG-3 by 2030 will require accelerated action, adequate financing, and innovative approaches that go beyond business as usual. Dr. Ekure calls for innovative funding models, such as public-private partnerships, blended financing, and outcome-based funding, which links disbursements to independently verified results.
She also advocates for the use of technology to improve immunization tracking and coverage, enhance disease surveillance and data utilization, and expand access through telemedicine and digital platforms. PAN remains committed to building partnerships that translate knowledge into action and policies into measurable improvements in child health outcomes.
Dr. Ekure urges the Federal Government to demonstrate strong political will, treating child health as a national development priority rather than a mere sectoral issue. State governments are also encouraged to significantly increase health sector allocations, with a clear focus on child health. Strengthening immunization, nutrition, primary healthcare, and maternal and child health services requires sustained financing, as adequate investment in child health is a cost-effective strategy for improving overall health outcomes and accelerating social and economic development.
The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Isiaq Salako, represented by Dr. Omokore Oluseyi, highlighted the Federal Government's commitment to reducing child mortality to the lowest possible level. The government has finalized the National Child Survival Action Plan, focusing on evidence-based interventions such as newborn resuscitation, integrated nutrition services, and community-based management of childhood illnesses. The ministry is leveraging technology by digitizing the integrated community management platform to improve real-time diagnosis, referral, and data capture.
Nigeria contributes a significant proportion of global under-five deaths, with preventable conditions like prematurity, pneumonia, malaria, and malnutrition being major causes. Dr. Salako calls on stakeholders to support the implementation of these plans, particularly in addressing challenges in newborn care, child nutrition, and digital health.
In his keynote lecture, Prof. Olugbenga Mokolu, a Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Ilorin and Strategic Adviser to the Ministry of Health on Malaria Elimination, emphasized the crucial role of innovative financing and technology deployment in achieving SDG targets, especially in reducing mortality rates. He stressed that these efforts cannot be overstated in the context of Nigeria's child health crisis.
As we reflect on these powerful statements and calls to action, it is evident that Nigeria's child health situation demands urgent attention and innovative solutions. The question remains: will the necessary changes be implemented to secure a healthier future for Nigeria's children?
